The Hillsborough High football team opened the season with a 26-8 loss to Bridgewater-Raritan on Friday night.
After stopping Bridgewater on its opening drive, Hillsborough thwarted the Panthers’ fake punt attempt and drove to the 10-yard line for an early scoring opportunity. The drive saw junior quarterback John VonNesson connecting with senior John Jenkins for a 14-yard completion. Sophomore John Banaciski later cut up the field with a sweet nine-yard run. The Raiders’ 28-yard field goal attempt went wide but the night was young.
Fine defensive showings by Banaciski and Dominic Piccarillo and a VonNesson to Greg Young completion kept the game close as the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie.
Bridgewater picked up the pace with an impressive punt return to start the second quarter. The drive resulted in a 31-yard Panther completion for the first score of the game. Four minutes later, the Panthers connected again to make it 13-0. Hillsborough’s second quarter drive fell short after several close pass attempts to end the half.
In the third quarter, junior Tyler Roller’s 10-yard return was followed by senior halfback Matt Leddy’s promising 11-yard run. A heartbreaking Raider fumble on the second play of the third quarter led to a Panther 8-yard scoring pass. Despite hard fought runs by Banaciski and Leddy, the Raiders were forced to punt again. VonNesson logged an outstanding 46-yard run, but B-R would not be denied as a 49-yard pass was followed by a 12-yard pass for a touchdown, upping the score to 26-0.
The Hillsborough offense rallied on Leddy’s fourth quarter rush to put Raiders on the board. Senior Cody Watts added two more points with a well-played conversion to make it 26-8. Watts turned in another fine play, intercepting Bridgewater. Fans were buoyed by an 11-yard Banaciski rush followed by a 10-yard VonNesson to Jenkins connection. A late quarter turnover dashed this week’s hopes for a win but the Raider’s spirits remain high.
Hillsborough is poised to take on the Franklin today at 4 p.m.
